They Become One Flesh (Part II)
Our last newsletter presented the Truths in Genesis 2:24 that a man should leave his parents; cleave to his wife; and be one flesh. Please notice the next verse: “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (v. 25). It is believed that they were clothed with the glory of the Lord until they sinned. They then realized their nakedness and covered themselves with fig leaves (v.7). God comes to commune with them as usual; but, this time, Adam and Eve hid from Him because they were afraid (v.10). Why were they hiding and fearful? …Because of their disobedience to God. Their response to God for their sin became the blame game. Adam nor Eve took responsibility for their actions; their wrong choices. Adam blamed God and Eve (v.12), and Eve blamed the serpent (v.13). Nevertheless, God held them accountable for their own sin.
We have seen the importance of leaving parents, cleaving to our mate, and becoming one flesh. You cannot fully cleave to your mate if there is any place of shame and/or fear in one’s heart. There will be a sense of hiding. If a husband or wife has a secret sin, he/she will begin to stop cleaving. Oh, they may be good at hiding their sin and attempting to pretend that “all is well”, but Scripture says, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished (sin is full-grown), bringeth forth death” (Jms. 1:15). Sin must be confessed to Jesus before it is forgiven (1 Jn. 1:9). James 5:16 also expresses that there are times that sin must be confessed to someone and receive prayer before healing and wholeness can come. Even sin confessed to Jesus, though forgiven, may often keep one in a state of ongoing guilt and shame. There is a freedom that can come by confessing the sin to someone who can pray in faith.
A man and a woman can easily become naked (open their hearts) with their mates if there is not fear of rejection or mockery. Oftentimes, a man will not allow his wife the time to bear her heart with details. If he only attempts to fix the problem, so he can move on, she will suppress her feelings and emotions. This may hinder her in wanting to become naked with her mate emotionally and then physically. In turn, a husband should be able to talk with his wife without having to walk on egg shells because of her pouting or attack mode. If only couples, would cleave to their mate with unconditional love, rather than fleeing because of some kind of hurt or disappointment. Individuals need to take responsibility for themselves, rather than blaming a mate. Blame does not solve any issues in a marriage but hinders the cleaving, the becoming one flesh, and finally the becoming naked without shame. Remember, “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Eccl. 4:12). Couples that cleave to Jesus and then one to another are a couple that can withstand the onslaughts of the evil one. They are a couple that can be naked before their mate without shame or fear.